12. STORY TELLING

On his way to leave the kingdom of Argorn, Pascal suddenly changed his mind and asked Bold to send the news about killing Cassava and King Veston to his parents. But Pascal didn't tell them about his return. He wanted to surprise them.

In the darkness of the night, Pascal saw a bright light from afar. Valliant was in sight. But it still took a few more hours to get there.

He laid his stout body beside his precious tiger. The ship's bow was their favorite place to enjoy the voyage. Whether it was simply to keep Titan sleepy after a hearty meal or to have Pascal lie under a cloudy sky with his mind wandering. The point was, they were both more comfortable being there than in their cabins.

But what was Crysta doing in Valliant right now? Crysta's beauty played in his eyes. Probably the princess was asleep in bed as he thought. Pascal flashed a bright smile. Although the reason for his decision to return earlier was due to the queen's order.

But what Pascal didn't know is that Crysta was currently facing a difficult question that would probably make Crysta have trouble sleeping.

''Princess, did you hear me?'' King Lumiere had to repeat the question because Crysta kept silent.

''Your Highness, I-''

''If you're taking so long to answer, that means my question doesn't need answering-''

''I don't love him. I'm waiting for the prince's arrival because he's the only person I can talk to besides Your Majesty the king and queen.'' Crysta's answer broke the king's stigma. The girl was shocked by her own words. How could she speak like that? How could she lie?

King Lumiere nodded his head. ''Ah, I see. I thought you liked him,'' the king chuckled. ''You were betrothed to Prince Leonard, how could I expect that you have feelings for my son?'' The king laughed again. However, it made Crysta misbehave. She regretted not telling the truth.

''May I ask you a question, Your Majesty?''

''Please,''

The two of them decided to go out from inside the palace. It was in the east wing. The houses of the Valliant people were the sights they were looking right now.

''Can an arranged marriage be canceled just because the bride loves someone else?''

''It is possible. But it would trigger an inevitable war. Many lives will be lost because of it,'' said the king. ''An arranged marriage will not be easy to break. Unless one of the brides dies. For example, your being arranged to Prince Leonard because Prince Logan died, that could be an exception.''

''But, has there ever been such a thing before? I mean, has an arranged marriage ever been canceled without a war? Without the death of one of the bride and groom?'' Crysta would not be able to ask her father or her mother about this matter. Especially to her father. That would incur King Brent's wrath.

''There was. It happened decades ago.''

''Really?''

The happy tone of Crysta's voice made King Lumiere smile widely. It was a smile he very rarely had when facing Pascal. The rogue prince could only give him a headache for continuing to act as he pleased. Although Pascal's resistance to his orders often resulted in good things.

For example, when King Lumiere forbade Valliant's armies to search the outer areas of the kingdom because he thought the kingdom was safe, Prince Pascal did not agree.

He was indeed an extraordinarily clever prince regardless of how defiant he was to the king.

If the prince's order had not been implemented, perhaps Crysta would not be able to have this conversation with King Lumiere. She could probably be killed by the rebels by now.

King Lumiere nodded, confirming.

''Do I know who that is, Your Majesty? Is the royal family still alive today?''

''You know them very well, chatty princess,'' King Brent's smile grew wider. ''And until now both of them are still able to breathe happily.''

''They were really lucky,'' Crysta thought. She wished she could have the same luck. ''Can you tell me who it is, Your Majesty?''

King Lumiere changed his position now. Facing Crysta completely. There was something unique about Princess Crysta that made him so eager to have a daughter-in-law like her. She was so humble even though she is a princess. A trait that many royal families should have.

Queen Ruby who was very unhappy after reading about Pascal and Cassava in Argorn, was due to Princess Cassava's unethical nature and attitude. Queen Ruby did not want a daughter-in-law like that.

''Are you sure you want to know?''

Crysta nodded quickly.

''You're currently facing him right now, Princess.''

It wasn't just Crysta who was surprised, Monic also found out.

''My love!''

That voice drew Crysta's desire to ask another question. Unfortunately, Queen Ruby's arrival interrupted her.

The queen approached them with her guards and servants in tow.

''Am I bothering you?'' Queen Ruby glanced at King Lumiere who wore a humorous expression because he found the question so ridiculous.

"Absolutely not, Your Majesty.''

''Ah, then, may I join in? If I'm allowed to,'' she said followed by a laugh from Crysta and King Lumiere.

''I really don't have any problem with that,'' concluded Crysta.

But the embrace around the waist that Queen Ruby got was a sign that they would not stay there for another minute. ''Unfortunately this talk is over, my dear queen. It's getting cold outside. We need to rest as well. The princess will definitely not refuse your request because she was so mannerly to say so.'' The king kissed the queen's forehead. Making everyone there feel happy to see that.

''Too bad then,'' the queen pretended to be sad. ''But we still have plenty of time tomorrow. Isn't that right, Princess?''

Crysta nodded in agreement. The warmth of the king and queen despite her being a guest made Crysta feel like she was in her own palace.

''It looks like it's going to rain tonight. The stars have suddenly disappeared from the sky.''

''Isn't that a good thing?'' King Lumiere and Queen Ruby were in the front while Crysta was slightly behind. They were going back to their respective rooms.

''What's good about it? I don't like rain because it makes me stay inside the palace,'' she replied with a grumble.

''Because I won't have any trouble looking for you anymore,''

A genuine smile continued to hang on Crysta's face listening to the king and queen's conversation that was like two people in love. She wished she could be like that with Pascal. She would definitely be a very happy person. Crysta daydreamed.

She then led the way back to the room. Natasha was already there to greet her. Preparing the things Crysta needed to do before going to bed.

''You're so lovely to treat Princess Crysta like she's a princess of this kingdom,'' Monic praised as she wanted to tuck in Crysta who was already on the bed.

''The queen said to treat the princess just like we treat the prince.'' Natasha honestly said. Even if the queen didn't say that, Natasha would still serve Crysta well because she liked that girl.

''Thank you, Natasha.'' Crysta laid down after saying so.

''Well, excuse me, Your Highness.'' Natasha nodded respectfully.

And not long after Natasha's disappearance, Monic also left as well, leaving Crysta to rest.

The candles had been extinguished. The only light shining in Crysta's room was the moonlight. The sky didn't seem to be raining. Because in fact Crysta saw the stars again.

Crysta slowly closed her eyes. Until finally she fell asleep.

But suddenly she woke up because of the thunderous sound of lightning. Her breathing was irregular due to shock. And at the same time, she saw a man standing by the window. She couldn't see what he looked like because the room was so dark and the lighting was low.

Crysta did not move back as the figure came closer to her. For some reason, she didn't feel afraid. Even when the man sat on the edge of the bed, Crysta still didn't flinch. Except when a large hand nuzzled into the nape of her neck and also her waist, Crysta only felt her heart beating quite madly.

Especially when the man brought their bodies closer together until Crysta could smell the masculine scent emanating from the man's body, Crysta was suddenly like someone paralyzed. Including when that figure crushed her lips in the wildest way. Gagging her to make the pent-up passion of a virgin princess come to life. Driving Crysta to return the kiss and making her breath catch as the kiss was released.

The flaming lightning reveals the figure that now wants to kiss Crysta again. The eyes, the nose, the lines of the face, even the way he smiled, Crysta knew exactly who the man was. And that figure is...

''Pascal?''

The man flashed a faint smile. ''Hello, my dear Crysta.''